robert m. gurney, faia, architect
washington, d.c.
The Watergate is one of Washington’s most prestigious addresses, but its circular geometry poses interior challenges. Gutting this vintage 1960s apartment cleared the way for the organizing stroke: a V-shaped, dark plaster wall that orients the living areas toward the Potomac River. “The new framework draws attention away from the ceiling heights, some as low as 7 feet, 6 inches,” says Robert M. Gurney, FAIA. Crisp, minimalist materials—white terrazzo flooring, ash millwork, and glass walls—unify and define the spaces. “They got a lot of mileage out of the simple move of breaking the wall free,” one judge said, “and the materials are very well done.”
Click here to see all 2011 rada winners.
product details
bathroom fittings: Dornbracht, www.dornbracht.com; bathroom fixtures: Kohler, www.kohler.com; cooktop: Miele, www.mieleusa.com; countertops: Silestone, www.silestoneusa.com; dishwasher: Fisher & Paykel, www.fisherpaykel.com; garbage disposer: Franke, www.franke.com; hardware: Gruppo Romi, www.grupporomi.com; kitchen fittings: Vola, www.vola.com; kitchen fixtures: Julien, www.julien.ca; lighting fixtures: Anta, www.anta.de, Delta Light, www.deltalight.com, Halo, www.haloltg.com, Task Lighting, www.tasklighting.com; oven: American Range, www.americanrange.com; refrigerator: Sub-Zero, www.subzero.com
